We have some difficulty understanding the biblical picture of prayer because we live in a country that sharply separates politics and prayer. Ancient Israel did not do that. The dedication ceremony for the temple began with the transport of the ark of the covenant from its location in the ?city of . . . . Continue Reading »
As I’ve discussed in a previous post (and, more fully, in a forthcoming article in the Tyndale Bulletin ), Kings is organized by three parallel narratives: the story of the united kingdom (Solomon to Zedekiah and Jehoiachin); the northern kingdom (Jeroboam to the fall of Samaria and the . . . . Continue Reading »
1 Kings 8:12-13 begins Solomon’s lengthy speech at the temple dedication. It is a poetic and formal utterance, and contins a number of intriguing features. First, it appears to be structured chiastically: Yahweh said A. to dwell (SHAKAN) B. in the gloom C. Building I have built B’. a . . . . Continue Reading »
The NASB translates 1 Kings 8:9 as follows: “There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the sons of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.” The Hebrew, however, does not use the word BERIT . . . . Continue Reading »
House of Prayer, 1 Kings 8:1-66 INTRODUCTION As Chronicles makes clear, one of the big changes in worship at the time of Solomon was in the area of music. David organized a Levitical choir and orchestra, and these accompanied the sacrificial music with song. As 1 Kings 8 makes clear, another big . . . . Continue Reading »
Paul tells Timothy that all Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for doctrine, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Though we are reluctant to contradict an apostle, it may seem that Paul has overstated his case. . . . . Continue Reading »
The following suggestion is inspired by the renowned scholar Josh Davis: The “wheeled stands” made by Hiram for Solomon’s temple form a gauntlet of water stretching to the east of the temple. A worshiper approaching the temple passes through the water, reliving the experience of . . . . Continue Reading »
And he made the cast-metal sea Ten in cubit from from its lip until its lip Round all around And five in cubit its height And a cord thirty in cubit Surrounded it all around. Now gourds from below to its lip all around surrounding it Ten in cubit caused-to-go-round the sea all around Two rows the . . . . Continue Reading »
1 Kings 7:46-47 inform us that the casting for the bronze furnishings and tools of the temple worship was done in the “plain of the Jordan between Succoth and Zarethan.” There are a few noteworthy details in these verses: 1) In verse 46 Solomon suddenly takes over as the craftsman of . . . . Continue Reading »
Waterworks, 1 Kings 7:23-51 INTRODUCTION In the tabernacle courtyard, there was a laver that contained water for washing. We are not told its dimensions, and no particular emphasis is put on it (Exodus 30:17-21; cf. 38:8). Water is much more abundant in the temple. Not only is there a very large . . . . Continue Reading »
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